GERIK: An additional RM30mil will be allocated for the Jeli-Gerik East-West Highway road upgrade, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said the Federal Government would also discuss the request made by the Works Ministry to upgrade the highway in the next budget.

"Just a few weeks ago, I used the highway from Kota Bharu, Kelantan heading to Penang at night.

"The road was pitch black with no lights and we even had to stop a few times to make way for the elephants to cross the road," he said during his speech at the launching of the Works Ministry's MYJalan campaign here at Jeti Awam Pulau Banding on Saturday (Aug 24).

In June, the Works Ministry announced that RM45.676mil had been allocated for the East-West highway upgrade.

Separately during a press conference, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the new allocation would allow more upgrades for the highway.

"This will allow the Public Work Departments to do more than just small road repairs, perhaps reconstructions of several parts of the highway.

"We will also look at the technical parts in which we may add street lamps as well," he said.